spirited

1 of 2

adjective

spir·​it·​ed ˈspir-ə-təd 

: full of energy, animation, or courage

a spirited discussion

spiritedly adverb

spiritedness noun

spirited

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of spirit entry 2

Did you know?

You may see spirited used to describe a conversation, a debate, a horse, or a campaign. And it often shows up in such words as high-spirited ("bold and energetic"), mean-spirited ("spiteful"), and public-spirited ("generous to a community"), all of which reflect the original meaning of spirit, a notion much like "soul" or "personality".

Synonyms of spirited

Adjective

• fiery
• passionate
• spunky
• brisk
• high-spirited
• fervent
• peppery

Examples of spirited in a Sentence

Adjective

The team put up a spirited defense.

She's a very spirited young lady.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The other ingredients, a nonalcoholic vermouth and a nonalcoholic spirit alternative, cost just as much as their spirited counterparts. — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

That sign sparked a spirited debate over branding in the city’s historic district. — Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Last year the Legislature forced DACA college students to shift from paying in-state to costlier out-of-state tuition, a mean-spirited and severe hardship. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Asked about the potential ill effects on artists’ practices of the large-scale destruction of books, weighed against the possible benefits of technological progress, Chan and Paul’ had a spirited exchange. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spirited

• high-spirited
• low-spirited
• mean-spirited
• poor-spirited
• public-spirited

Rhymes for spirited

• dispirited

Kids Definition

spirited

adjective

spir·​it·​ed ˈspir-ət-əd 

: full of courage or energy

a spirited discussion

spiritedly adverb